American composer Philip Glass turns 80 next week. As WNYC's Sara Fishko tells us in this Fishko Files, Glass's time away from America in the '60s was central to his music, as he encountered a pair of powerful influences.

Listen to "An Hour with Philip Glass" here. (Produced in 2006)

The Bruckner Orchestra Linz celebrates Glass's birthday with the world premiere of his new Symphony No. 11 on Tuesday, January 31 at Carnegie Hall. For tickets and more information, visit carnegiehall.org.

National Sawdust hosts Philip Glass & Foday Musa Suso with Jeffrey Zeigler on Sunday, March 12 as part of their "Glass @ 80" celebration. For tickets and more information, visit nationalsawdust.org.